GENERAL INFORMATION - Florida Department of Health



EMS SECTION HIGHLIGHTSJanuary 2015GENERAL INFORMATIONUPCOMING EMS ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGNext Meeting: Date and location to be determined.NEW EMPLOYEESWe are happy to announce that our new Regulatory Specialist II is Russ Palmer. Russ processes the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators (911 PST) training center applications, as well as testing and certification. He can be reached at: (850) 245-4440, ext. 3901 or at: Russ.Palmer@. EMS EDUCATION, LICENSURE & COMPLIANCE There are 71 schools offering 184 emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic training programs. In addition to our EMS education programs and EMS provider agencies, there are 57 continuing education providers offering 1,633 continuing education courses.TRAINING & EDUCATIONThe 2014 certification exam statistics are as follows:There are 3,283 EMT first time test-takers so far this year with a 74 percent pass rate.There are 1,376 paramedic first time test-takers so far this year with an 83 percent pass rate.Florida currently has 29,015 actively certified EMTs and 27,916 paramedics, totaling 56,931 actively-certified EMS personnel.EMS PROVIDER LICENSUREThere are 274 licensed EMS providers with 4,598 permitted vehicles.Provider agency types:Permitted vehicles:173 ALS Transport2,4458 BLS Transport 44460 ALS Non-Transport1,59133 Air Ambulance (fixed and rotary) 126EMS AGENCY INSPECTIONSThere were 122 EMS provider agencies inspected in the year 2014. Ninety-seven of these inspections were announced and 20 were unannounced. Five were initial EMS provider agency licensure.911 PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS (911 PST)There are currently 146 state-approved PST training programs in Florida. The 2014 certification exam statistics are as follows:Of the 1,378 exam attempts, 1,000 individuals passed the exam on the first attemptThe current pass rate for first time test-takers is 74 percentFlorida has issued 9,100 PST certificationsSTATEWIDE PLANNINGEMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN (EMSC) EMSC Federal Partnership GrantThe EMSC program has completed and submitted the EMSC State Partnership Non-Competing Continuation Progress Report as required by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Project accomplishments reported for the grant period beginning March 1, 2014 to present included the following:Distribution of approximately 1,000 copies of the training DVD, “Friday Night Lights Out: Pediatric Concussion Syndrome,” to all licensed EMS provider agencies, county health departments, EMS training programs, emergency departments and various other EMS constituent groups.Coordination of the first Regional EMSC Pediatric Education Program, “Birth, Babies, Tiny Traumas and Crashing Kids,” with 440 participants in attendance.Other pediatric continuing education courses conducted during this reporting period included:Course TitleNumber TrainedThe ABC’s of Pediatric EMS124Friday Night Lights Out (2) 57PALS(2) 36PEPP 7Intubation Rodeo Symposium 64PITLS Provider Course (2) 32Pediatric Trauma Sponsored Lecture347Pediatric Transport Safety (6)105The new grant year will begin in March 2015 (pending receipt of a notice of grant award) and will end on February 28, 2016. The primary goals of the grant are: to improve and expand the degree to which Florida EMS has ensured the operational capacity to provide pediatric emergency care; to improve the capacity of Florida to ensure that essential resources and protocols are available in facilities where children receive care; to improve and expand the degree to which Florida has established permanence of EMSC in the Florida EMS system; and to improve and expand Florida’s capacity to reduce and ameliorate pediatric emergencies.FREE Pediatric Education Program and/or ResourcesFlorida EMSC is offering FREE pediatric/neonatal continuing education courses and resources within the state this grant year. If you are interested in having a pediatric/neonatal education course offered at your agency or are in need of pediatric educational resources, please contact Bonnie Newsome, EMSC Program Manager. The following CE courses/programs are available to eligible agencies:Pediatric Transport SafetyFocuses on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s best practice recommendations to ensure pediatric patients are safely transported in emergency ground ambulances. Agencies who receive this training will also receive two (2) Pedi-Mate innovative restraint systems for pediatric transportation.Friday Night Lights Out - Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain InjuryPediatric head injuries are under recognized and under treated particularly in terms of long-term effects and return to play recommendations. The EMS providers need to be able to identify concerning features for long-term damage and make the appropriate recommendation for returning to play for children with acute head injuries.Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP)PEPP represents a complete source of prehospital medical information for the emergency care of infants and children. Developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, PEPP is an exciting curriculum designed to teach prehospital professionals how to better assess and manage ill or injured children.Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)PALS is a classroom, video-based, instructor-led course that uses a series of simulated pediatric emergencies to reinforce the important concepts of a systematic approach to pediatric assessment, basic life support, PALS treatment algorithms, effective resuscitation and team dynamics. The goal of the PALS course is to improve the quality of care provided to seriously ill or injured children, resulting in improved outcomes.S.T.A.B.L.E.S.T.A.B.L.E. is the most widely distributed and implemented neonatal education program to focus exclusively on the post-resuscitation/pre-transport stabilization care of sick infants. Based on a mnemonic to optimize learning, retention and recall of information, S.T.A.B.L.E., stands for the six assessment and care modules in the program: Sugar; Temperature; Airway; Blood pressure; Lab work; and Emotional Support. A seventh module, Quality Improvement, stresses the professional responsibility of improving and evaluating care provided to sick infants.Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)NRP is an educational program jointly sponsored with the American Heart Association (AHA). The course has been designed to teach an evidence-based approach to resuscitation of the newborn to hospital staff who care for newborns at the time of delivery, including physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists.Pediatric/Neonatal ReviewThis course can be customized to meet the specific needs of your agency.Costs associated with the above mentioned continuing education courses will be covered in full by the Florida EMSC partnership grant when possible. To find out if your agency is eligible to receive the equipment and training, contact the EMSC program staff.Additionally, EMSC may be able to support an education program at your agency that you are already planning or provide educational materials and other pediatric resources. Contact the EMSC program staff directly for more information or with specific requests.EMSC Contact InformationFlorida Department of HealthBureau of Emergency Medical OversightEmergency Medical Services for ChildrenBonnie Newsome, EMSC Program Manager4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A22Tallahassee, FL 32399-1722(850) 245-4440, ext. 2686(850) 488-9408 / FaxBonnie.Newsome@COUNTY GRANTS (401.113(2) (a), FLORIDA STATUTES We are near the end of awarding county governments their funds for state fiscal year 2014-2015. We have already awarded $2.4 million to 48 of the 67 counties. Five counties have decided not to draw their funds this year, which will leave a total of $28,137 unclaimed. The other 14 counties can still obtain their funds ($315,979) through February.MATCHING GRANTS (401.113(2) (b), FLORIDA STATUTES We are now accepting matching grant applications. All agencies are eligible including counties, cities and private organizations. Last year we received 116 applications, made 42 awards and provided $2.2 million in state funds. The state funds went to 11 city projects ($422,651), 19 county projects ($1,241,650) and 12 private organization projects ($517,852).The deadline this year for us to receive your application is March 13, 2015.The announcement of this grant opportunity and the application form is at the state EMS grant website and available by request. When you go to the website, scroll down past “County Grant Information” to the “Matching Grants” section. The web address is: & PROSECUTIONThe Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight (BEMO), Emergency Medical Services Section, Investigations Unit operates in conjunction with Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) to investigate complaints against EMTs and paramedics. The EMS Section continues to investigate complaints against EMS providers, EMS training schools, 911 PSTs and/or 911 PST training schools.ProsecutionUpon completion of the investigative process, all complaints filed against Florida EMTs and paramedics are prosecuted by Toby Schultz of the MQA Prosecution Service Unit. All complaints can be mailed to: Florida Department of Health, Medical Quality Assurance, Consumer Services Unit, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-75, Tallahassee, FL 32399.Upon completion of the investigative process, all complaint files against Florida EMS providers, EMS training schools and/or 911 PSTs and 911 PST training schools are prosecuted by Caryl Kilinski of the Office of General Counsel. All complaints can be mailed to: Florida Department of Health, BEMO, EMS Section, Investigations Unit, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A22, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1722.For disciplinary information, please submit a written public record request to:Florida Department of Health c/o: Public Records CustodianOffice of the General Counsel 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A-02, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1702Phone: (850) 245-4005 or Fax: (850) 410-1448Or to submit a public record request online, e-mail: PublicRecordsRequest@.Disciplinary Actions taken for October – December 2014 are as follows:6 Final Orders6 Administrative Complaints11 Closing Orders1 Revocation4 Voluntary Surrender of Certificates3 SuspensionsINJURY PREVENTIONContact Lisa VanderWerf-Hourigan, Administrator, Injury Prevention Section (IPS) at: (850) 245-4440, ext. 2776 for further information.WELCOME MONICA MCKENZIEThe IPS, through a competitive process, applied in FY 2013-2014 and was recently awarded the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) assignee (salary paid by CDC) for a two year assignment. Monica joined the IPS staff in October 2014. Ms. McKenzie began pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at Georgia State University’s School of Public Health and was awarded the Center of Excellence for Health Disparities Research (CoEx) Fellowship in 2013. As a graduate research assistant and fellow, she received training and mentoring in health disparities while assisting with research projects on HIV, childhood obesity and environmental health. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science at Georgia Southern University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and a Certified Group Fitness Instructor. She is also a member of the American Public Health Association and the Georgia Society of Public Health Education. Please welcome Ms. McKenzie to the IPS.WELCOME SUZANNE KELLYSuzanne joined the IPS staff on October 24 in the Planning Consultant position that Elizabeth White recently retired from. Suzanne comes to us with more than 25 years of experience, most recently with the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Section in the Department of Health. Suzanne will be taking over the WaterproofFL and childhood drowning activities.CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) GRANTThe IPS was one of 20 state health department injury prevention programs awarded a five year ($250,000/year) Core Violence and Injury Prevention (VIPP) grant by the CDC. The grant provides funding for the development, implementation and evaluation of the 2014–2016 Florida Injury Prevention State Plan, funding for nearly $100,000 in mini grants for older adult falls, distracted driving and child drowning prevention, promotion of the WaterproofFL campaign, analysis of injury data, a yearly satellite broadcast and funding for the Injury Community Prevention Group (ICPG) meetings. MINI GRANTS FOR CHILDHOOD DROWNING, DISTRACTED DRIVING AND OLDER ADULT FALLS PREVENTIONThe IPS announced the 2014–2015 awards for the Child Drowning, Distracted Driving and Older Adult Falls Prevention mini grants funded at $5,000 each for a total of $95,000. Six (6) mini grants were awarded for child drowning prevention for a total of $30,000.00, seven (7) mini grants were awarded for distracted driving for a total of $35,000.00 and six (6) mini grants were awarded for older adult falls prevention for a total of $30,000.00. Award recipients include county health departments, hospitals, YMCAs, police departments, city governments and the area agencies on aging. The 2014–2015 mini grants will end by June 30, 2015. Currently funded mini grants began new activities August 1 for the fiscal year 2014–2015. These grants were made possible through the CDC VIPP Grant. This is the third year IPS has offered a mini grant opportunity to fund local agencies.FLORIDA INJURY PREVENTION ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGThe Florida Injury Prevention Advisory Council meeting was cancelled for October 15–16, 2014 in Tampa, Florida due to budget restraints. Additional information will be sent out when the next meeting or a webinar will be held.2014–2016 FLORIDA INJURY PREVENTION STATE PLANVision:Florida: An injury-free state.Mission:To reduce injury in Florida through leadership, education and policy.Goal 1:Establish a sustainable infrastructure that provides leadership, funding, data, communication, policy and evaluation for injury prevention.Goal 2:Based on emerging injury data trends, provide education and awareness through partnerships and collaboration.Goal 3:Establish a collaborative effort to provide statewide direction and focus for fall-related injury prevention for Florida’s older adults.Goal 4:Establish a collaborative effort to provide statewide direction and focus for child water safety and drowning prevention.Goal 5:Establish a collaborative effort to support statewide direction and focus to prevent motor vehicle crash-related injuries from distracted driving.FLORIda BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN Partnership Council (BPPC) MeetingThe Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) has established a standing statewide “Partnership Council” on bicycle and pedestrian mobility. The council provides guidance to DOT and its partner agencies on policy matters affecting the bicycle and pedestrian transportation needs of the state of Florida. The council includes key agency representatives and external stakeholders. The major issues discussed during the December 10, 2014 meeting were: Florida DMV Testing (Safety)Multi-use Trail project update (completing the system)Refine Council recommendationsReview Draft BPPC Annual ReportLisa VanderWerf-Hourigan of IPS serves as the Department of Health’s representative on this council. The next meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2015 in Tallahassee, Florida. Additional information on the council is available at: dot.state.fl.us/planning/policy/bikeped. Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety CoalitionFlorida’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Coalition (PBSC) was formed in 2011-12 to prioritize and implement the strategies identified in the DOT’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Safety Plan. This diverse group represents many agencies and organizations that have a vested interest in pedestrian and bicycle safety in Florida. The IPS participates as a member of this coalition. The 2011 Florida pedestrian fatality rates were nearly double the national average and bicycle fatality rates were nearly triple the national average. Due to community partners and plan implementation activities of the PBSC, Florida’s ranking among states for pedestrian deaths per capita fell out of the top three for the first time in decades! Lisa VanderWerf-Hourigan and David Wong represent the bureau on this coalition.Additional information on the coalition is available at: . FLORIDA TEEN SAFE DRIVING COALITION (FTSDC)The last meeting held was in St. Petersburg on November 12 and 13 at All Children’s Hospital. Members of the National Safety Council were present to explain their focus on reaching parents.The FTSDC has applied for a grant to reach parents with teen drivers. The cities of New Port Richey, Tampa and Tallahassee were targeted as they have the highest rate of teen injury and fatalities from vehicle crashes in Florida. The focus will be on educating parents on the Graduated Driver’s License requirements.Planning is currently underway for the next meeting on February 25 and 26 in Orlando. For more information contact Mary Crew at: Mary.Crew@ or (850) 245-4982 or visit: dot.state.fl.us/safety/2A-Programs/Teen-Drivers.shtm or . 2014 OLDER ADULT FALLS PREVENTION WEBCAST Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths, hospitalizations and emergency room visits for Florida’s older adult population. The Sixth Annual Older Adult Falls Prevention Webcast, Strong Today, Falls Free? Tomorrow, aired on September 10, 2014 and is now on You Tube: watch?v=KOG_MJJ-uiQ&list=UU_r2tOiVqnfR5HydNXqiBOA?.The reach of the webcast extended national borders, attracting registrants from Japan. Nearly 400 viewers have accessed the archived webcast to date. In addition, the IPS has received requests for DVD copies of the webcast and completion certificates. For more information contact Monica McKenzie at: Monica.McKenzie@ or (850) 445-4440, ext. 2736. SAFE KIDS FLORIDA Safe Kids Florida is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide. This is a worldwide network of organizations working to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability for children ages 1 to 19.Safe Kids Florida consists of 12 local coalitions covering Broward, Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Dade, Hillsborough, Collier, Lee, Marion, Orange, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Flagler, Volusia and Seminole counties. As lead state agency for Safe Kids Florida, the IPS facilitates monthly conference calls with coalition coordinators and the Safe Kids Advisory Board. For more information contact Mary Crew at: Mary.Crew@ or (850) 245-4982. SAFE MOBILITY FOR LIFE COALITION The Safe Mobility for Life Coalition’s mission is to improve the safety, access and mobility of Florida’s aging road users by developing a comprehensive strategic plan to reduce injuries and crashes among this vulnerable population. The IPS is a member of the DOT Safe Mobility for Life Coalition. The coalition meets quarterly. Mary Crew is the liaison on this coalition.The fall meeting was held on November 17, 2014. Discussed were the latest initiatives including the Aging in Place Checklist being completed and posted to the Web, the Florida’s Guide for Aging Drivers being revised and translated into Spanish, the development of the Safety is Golden Mobility Fair Community Toolkit, the development of a Health Care Needs Assessment, and the radio PSAs available in December.The winter meeting is scheduled for February 24 from 1-5 p.m., and February 25, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. It will be held at the Area Agency for Aging for North Florida, 2414 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida, 32308.For additional information on the Safe Mobility for Life Coalition, please visit: and dot.state.fl.us/safety/2A-Programs/Aging-Road-Users.shtm.WaterproofFL Child Drowning Prevention CampaignPlans for the 2015 WaterproofFL spring campaign are being finalized and community partners will be notified in the near future.WaterproofFL is Florida’s first statewide pool safety and child drowning prevention campaign, “Pool Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility,” and emphasizing a multi-faceted approach to child drowning prevention through layers of protection. The layers of protection are supervision, barriers and emergency preparedness.A toll free number: (877) 362-5033, and a website: , are resources that provide information and tools for parents, caregivers, pool owners and others on the need for child water safety and teaching the layers of protection necessary to protect Florida’s children from drowning.For more information, contact Suzanne Kelly at: Suzanne.Kelly@ or (850) 245-4110.INJURY DATA REPORTS—NEW FACTS SHEETS AVAILABLE!Injury Data-The Injury Fact Sheets have been completed! There are 13, six-page fact sheets describing select injury mechanisms and intents in detail. Each fact sheet characterizes the topic using text, tables, graphs and GIS maps to provide knowledge and focus for prevention activities. The fact sheets are available on the Injury Prevention Surveillance web page at: statistics-and-data/florida-injury-surveillance-system/index.html#factsheets.1999–2012 injury death and hospitalization, and 2005–2012 emergency department data, customized for specific projects, are available upon request by contacting David Wong at: (850) 245-4440, ext. 2761 or Tit.Wong@.2005–2012 injury death, hospitalization and emergency department data for each of Florida’s 67 counties are available on the IPS website at: reports-and-data/florida-injury-surveillance-system/index.html#profiles.1970s–2012 injury death data is available on the Florida CHARTS website at: FLQUERY/Death/DeathCount.aspx.1970–2009 County-level School-Aged Child and Adolescent Profiles, which include injury indicators, are available on the Florida CHARTS website at: charts/SpecReport.aspx?RepID=1031552.2007–2012 County-level Pregnancy and Young Child Profiles, which include injury indicators, are available on the Florida CHARTS website at: charts/SpecReport.aspx?RepID=1013450. Florida prevalence and trends data, including seat belt prevalence, based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System can be found at: INFORMATION & POLICY ANALYSIS PROGRAMEMSTARSThe Health Information and Policy Analysis Section (HIPAS) continues to make great strides with 163 agencies reporting to the EMS Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS), bringing the state repository to over 12.5 million incidents reported. The section implemented its new data collection system EMSTARS-CDX in July and has completed transition of all reporting agencies to the new system. This new system supports the current submissions of EMSTARS Version 1.4 Data Dictionary files and will begin accepting the EMSTARS Version 3.0 Data Dictionary first quarter of 2015 as you are ready to transition to the new standard that was mandated by the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS).? ?The new system has improved submission, tracking and communications capabilities.?Users have more control over their agency’s administration and user setup. The reporting component of the new system will be made available in first quarter of 2015 and will be much more advanced than the old EMSTARS system.?The bureau will continue to make training available on how to access and perform the administrative functions?of the new software from each agency’s perspective. The current web sessions will also be made available thru the Department’s TRAIN Florida website in a self-paced format.?The HIPAS continues to be available for providers to facilitate training and/or implementation assistance as needed. If your agency is interested in receiving assistance with your EMSTARS submissions or transitioning from aggregate data reporting to EMSTARS reporting at this time or in the near future, please contact Brenda Clotfelter at: Brenda.Clotfelter@. The NEMSIS National Reporting System based upon the National EMS Database can be found on the NEMSIS web site () under the “Reporting Tools” tab (click on “Reports,” then “National Reports” and then “Access Reports”). Follow the directions to access the reports. You will notice Florida’s data is incorporated in the national aggregated reports.NEMSIS VERSION 3 UPDATEThe section staff continues to work in concert with our federal partners, National EMS Information System (NEMSIS), EMS Advisory Council Data Committee, and the EMS community to respond to the changes anticipated with NEMSIS Version 3 subsequent updates. The section staff are working with a third party vendor, Intermedix, which is already NEMSIS certified compliant, to ensure that an appropriate state level implementation approach is used and adequately planned to minimize impact to local EMS provider agencies. The EMSAC Data Committee and the HIPAS will work with Florida agencies over the next few years as the state transitions to the new standards. The Florida EMS Data Dictionary Version 3 represents a new version of the Florida EMS dataset and is not a replacement of the current Florida EMS Data Dictionary Version 1.4.1 (NEMSIS Version 2.2.1 compliant). Although NEMSIS has released NEMSIS Version 3, the NEMSIS Technical Assistance Center (TAC) has indicated that they will continue to accept NEMSIS Version 2.2.1 data from states until December 2015 to allow software vendors, states and agencies to implement NEMSIS Version 3. At this time and until further notification, the state will only accept files that are compliant with the current Florida EMS Data Dictionary Version 1.4.1 (NEMSIS Version 2.2.1 compliant) for agencies reporting to EMSTARS. The EMS agencies who are currently submitting to EMSTARS should not transition to The Florida Data Dictionary Version 3, (NEMSIS Version 3) software prior to notification from the section staff on the transition/implementation plan. However, EMS agencies participating or that will be participating in EMSTARS should begin discussions with their vendor on their vendor’s implementation approach and timeline for transition to the Florida Data Dictionary Version 3. The Florida Data Dictionary Version 3 can be found at: .The EMS agencies that are procuring new ePCR (electronic patient care reporting) software should not finalize their negotiations without consultation with the EMSTARS team and are advised not to procure software that will not allow for Florida EMSTARS Version 1.4.1 support until Florida is ready to begin its transition to accept NEMSIS Version 3. Florida does not plan to begin support of the acceptance of Version 3 files from submitting agencies before the end of the first quarter 2015. If your agency has questions regarding Version 3, please contact Brenda Clotfelter at: Brenda.Clotfelter@GRANT OPPORTUNITY- DOT 405 Sub grantThe Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight received approval for local EMS agency sub grants from the Florida Department of Transportation FY 14/15 405 Grant Program in support of the improvement and/or expansion of Florida’s emergency medical services field data collection efforts. We are pleased to make this grant program available to you this year. The deadline for submission of the application is January 15, 2015 by 5:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time. It is anticipated that within 14 days after the deadline, the grants will be reviewed and scored. Notification relating to the outcome of your application will be mailed approximately 10 days after the outcome is determined. There is a total of $200,000 in grant funds available, so not all applications will be funded. Any single grant application cannot exceed $35,000.The field data collection grant application (packet) that contains the application form and the information necessary to request grant funds under this program is available online at: . ................
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